A federal grand jury has indicted three Kansas men on charges that they operated a global sales and supply network for synthetic marijuana.

Bradley Miller of Wichita, his brother, Clark Sloan of Tonganoxie, and Sloan’s son Jonathan Sloan of Lawrence face charges of mail fraud, conspiracy, distribution of a misbranded drug, smuggling, and conspiracy to launder money from the operation. They’re accused of manufacturing and distributing a marijuana substitute called K2 through businesses named Bouncing Bear Botanicals and Persephone’s Journey.

Jefferson City, Mo. – The Missouri House gave initial approval Monday to a ban on a widely available chemical that attempts to mimic the effects of marijuana. The measure would ban synthetic compounds that are sprayed on dried herbs and flowers to give users a marijuana-like high.

House members rejected an amendment legalizing medical marijuana in the state. An amendment to require prescriptions for a decongestant used to make methamphetamine also was rejected.

Kansas City, Mo. – In most states marijuana remains illegal. But across the Kansas City region, some people wanting to get high are turning to a legal synthetic version. It's commonly known as K2, but also goes by names like Spice and Yucatan Fire. Now Kansas and some other states, including Missouri, are moving to ban the chemicals in these herbal blends. KCUR's Elana Gordon has more on this relatively new trend and its uncertain future.